AndyBlog: Photography with Jac

Jac, with her faithful Canon - rapid fire.

One of my nice pleasures in life is a few brief hours grabbed every couple of months or so to go out and photograph stuff with Jac. Last Friday was one such day. Jac arrived in time for us to travel up to Alnmouth and photograph the sunrise. My enthusiasm for these trips was further increased by Jason's kind supply of a Canon 10D. This made me feel like a proper member of the photography duo and not just an "also-ran" with my little IXUS (...as TL sometimes calls it - but that's another matter). I might even consider joining the Newbiggin Arts Forum Photography Group now that I have a camera worthy of the word 'photography'.

Anyway, we drove down the terribly-bumpy lane to Alnmouth dunes, whereupon we embarked on the long and tortuous ascent onto the dunes. Well, that's not strictly true - Jac glided effortlessly up the dunes and a climbed desperately, as if my life depended on it. Surely, thought I, this kind of harsh exploration will all but guarantee me the very finest sunrise shot ever.
I was of course, all but disappointed with the results. The sunrise itself was singularly underwhelming, and yet there were some interesting shots to be had. I was grateful to Jac for taking a picture that proved I had made the climb. I was glad that no-one had to know that I got down from the dune on my bottom, rather than via the "effortless-gliding" which Jac seemed so adept at.

It was, however, lovely to welcome the sunrise and to point a camera this way and that, whilst trying to remember how to drive one of these big heavy photolumps. As ever, my greatest successes happened when I stopped trying to be a landscape photographer and turned my attention to portraiture.

I know, more depth of field required. Should have been possible, as it was quite a big field.

I like the harsh black and white one of Jac very much - largely thanks to the splendid flash unit that came with the camera. I also like the one with Jac leaning against the wall. The big problem with taking pictures of people is having people who are willing to be photographed. So, if you fancy having your picture taken by me - perhaps somewhere outside or something - just drop me an email and let's see what can happen.

So, all this was done, and we made it back to the place I am now proud to call home by 10.30am for a well-deserved coffee. It was at this arrival that I pointed out the old shed on the waste ground next to us...but more of that in the next blog.

Maybe this little sunrise shot is OK